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@ait-rh tates atrnt @fitta ROBERT D. GRAY, OF LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, ASSIGNORTO HIB/[SELF AND WILLIAM I5. BRITTINGHAM, OF SAME PLAGE.

Letters Patent No. 75,153, dated Zlfarclt 3, 186g).

IMPROVEMENT IN ROTARY VALVES FOR STEAM AND OTHER BNGINBRY.'

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

. Be it known that I, ROBERT D. GRAY, of Lafayette, in the county of Tippecanoe, and State of Indiana, have invented-a new and useful Improvement in RotaryValvcsfor Steam-Engines, Water-Meters, Arc.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and. exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view.

Figure 2 is a. vertical longitudinal section.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of thel valve.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the valve.

The same letters are used in all the figures for the purpose of indicating the same parts.

My invention consists in Athe construction of an oscillating-valve, and devices appertaining thereto, for a steam-engine or water-meter, whereby the valve shall be perfectly balanced, and made to out oil` at any part of the stroke by means of mechanism hereinafter fully set forth and described.

A is the cylinder, B the piston-head, and C the piston-rod of aA steam-engine or watcr-mcterffr D is the valve-chest, connecting with each end of the cylinder by the ports Dl D1. The valve-cha1nber is a recess in the form of the frustum of a cone in the centre of the valve-chest, and it communicates with the cylinder through the ports D D, and outwardly into the open air through the eduction-ports D2 D2. The steam enters the valve-chamber through the induction-pipe E, and its ow is regulated by the valve E." The valve is metallic, and cast in the form of the frustum of a cone. It turns freely with-the valve-stemG, which has its bearings in suitable boxes in the valve-chest, one end resting against a setscrew,by which the jamming of the valve in its chamber is prevented. Recesses are formed in each end of the valve to permit the steam to iiow freely around the valve, passing through the longitudinal recesses F formed in each side, so that the steam may iiow from the induction-pipe eritirely'around the valve, pressing alike upon both'ends, and on each side a chamber, F2; is formed, on each side of the valve, intermediately between the recessesrF. The parts of the valve surrounding the chamber F2 are carefully tted to form avsteam-tight`joint with `the sides lof the valve-chamber, the conical form of the valve and valve-seat or sides of the chamber preserving the entirety of this junction of the surfaces, even though the parts become worn.

It'will be secu by iig. Zthat when the valve is in the position shown by the black liuesboth the inductionports are closed, the steam filling the spaces 4in the valve-chamber at the ends and on the sides of the valve at F1. As the pressure is balanced, the valve has no tendency to move. Let it now be turned into the position shown by red lines, and the steam will ow through the induction-port into the end of the cylinder behind the piston-head, driving it towards'the other end of the cylinder. The steam, illing that end of the cylinder, will now escape by flowing through the port D1` into the chamber FZ in the valve, umh-passing through it, escape through the eduction-port D2, the chamber forming a connection between the ports ou the opposite i side from that through which the steam is being admitted into the cylinder. The valve being reversed with each motion of the pistou, the steam will bc thus regularly admitted into and discharged from each end of the cylinder alternately.

The valve is actuated by a tappet-arm, H, fastened adjustably to the piston-rod. .An eye on the end of the arm passesovcrjthe tappet-rod I, sliding freely thereon until it strikes against the adjustable stops, when it communicates motion to thetappet-rod. This latter rod is fastened to a wrist on the oscillating-arm K, which is attached to, but made to revolve freely on, the valve-stem G. The arm L is fastened by a set-screw firmly on to the end of the valve-stem G. It is constructed with a wrist projecting from its back, which passes through a circular slot iu the base o t the oscillating-arm K. A weight, I is necessary upon the arm K, where the valve is used in connection with a water-meter. It will notbe necessary when it is used in connection with a steam-engine.

The valve is operated, then, as follows: Theusteam being admitted at one end of the stroke, the piston is immediately driven towards the opposite end of the cylinder. The tappet-arm, traversing at first the tappetrod, does not move it until it strikes against one of the stops I. The tappet-rod is then immediately moved,

raising the arm K, the slot in the latter traversing upon t-ne wrist npen the arm Gr The valve is not moved until the wrist reaches the en@` et' the slot, when the Valve is tnrneil, closing the induction-port, and openingr the eLluction-port on that side, and opens-the induction-port on the opposite sille, admitting steam into the other end `of the cylinder. When the cylinder is used as n, \vzttei-ineter, clock-work must be attached to regulate the number of strokes.

What I claim as my invention, und desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The construction of the conical vulve F, with recesses and ends with reference te the chambers F1 und F2, vulve-chest D, and ports l)1 und DE, substantially as herein set forth.

2. The arrangement of the oscillating-valve F, valve-stem G, arms L and K, tappet-i'od I, stops I', and tappet-arm H, substantially :is described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed myiname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ROBERT D. GRAY,

Witnesses:

ROSWELL C. SMITH, WALTER WILSTACH. 

